Monday, August 18, 2014

Ind. Courts - "Loretta Rush becomes chief justice"

Gov. Mike Pence administered the oath of office to Rush, a former Tippecanoe County judge, during the brief public ceremony at 1 p.m. in the historic Supreme Court Law Library. But prior to that ceremony, she was formally — and officially — sworn in by Dickson.

The short public ceremony was attended by the other four Supreme Court justices, as well as former justices Randall Shepard, Theodore Boehm, Frank Sullivan and Myra Selby, who was the first female and African American to sit on the state's highest court. Rush is only the second female justice. * * *

Pence praised Dickson for his leadership and "decades of of exemplary service to the people and the laws of the state of Indiana." The governor said that, while Dickson's tenure was short, it was substantive, and the former chief justice provided the state independent, impartial, thoughtful and dedicated leadership.

Dickson, Pence said, led the court with "grace, dignity and sound judgment ... (that) contributed measurably to the reputation of the Supreme Court of the state of Indiana and the people of Indiana will always be in your debt."

Pence then turned his focus to Rush.

"This is not just a new and historic chapter in the story of Indiana's highest court, but more importantly it represents a strong continuation of what has been a long standing tradition of excellence for this court," he said.

"Much has been said and written about the historic nature of what will take place here today, and we do well to acknowledge that."

But, the governor added, "Loretta Rush has been selected among an extraordinarily talented group of candidates because, quite simply, she was the best choice to lead the best state supreme court in America as its chief justice."